Sad Sprinter
Established Member
What are, and we’re previously, the longest routes operated by class 158s? Did they ever work Anglo-Scottish routes for example?
Alright, I can't beat that.Wales & Borders' Penzance - Manchester Piccadilly.
When did that finish?Wales & Borders' Penzance - Manchester Piccadilly.
When did that finish?
Round about 2001/2002. There was also a Waterloo to Fishguard at this time
It's a good effort, but Liverpool - Norwich at 5 hours 16 minutes is still significantly longer (It even trumps the long stagger from Birmingham International to Pwllheli by a handful of minutes). There's probably more passengers doing Inverness - Thurso/Wick all the way through, though, especially in the summer.Going on time, rather than distance, I'd imagine the Far North Line must be up there? (about 3h45m) Though probably not when compared to Penzance-Manchester.....!
Ouch. I should note that the 3h45m is only to Thurso - my mistake - it's a bit longer for Wick. It won't exceed 5 hrs though!!!
I still always viewed that as two separate services across Inverness, but it certainly was advertised as a through service and 350 miles by the one unit is a fair old stretch.Used to be an Edinburgh-Inverness-Wick service that took 7 hrs 50, I assume it was 158 operated.
Ouch. I should note that the 3h45m is only to Thurso - my mistake - it's a bit longer for Wick. It won't exceed 5 hrs though!!!
I still always viewed that as two separate services across Inverness, but it certainly was advertised as a through service and 350 miles by the one unit is a fair old stretch.
Here's a few approximate mileages of some of the longer runs, past and present, to stimulate debate. I've tried to be as accurate as possible with the routings, but wouldn't be surprised if a few inaccuracies have crept in:
250 miles: Liverpool - Norwich (5hr 16mins)
245 miles: Liverpool - Portsmouth
234 miles: Manchester Airport - Edinburgh/Glasgow
226 miles: Blackpool North - London Euston
210 miles: Brighton - Great Malvern (5hr 31mins)
180 miles: Newcastle - Liverpool Lime Street
175 miles: Edinburgh - Inverness
174 miles: Inverness - Wick (via Thurso)
172 miles: Birmingham International - Holyhead
170 miles: Manchester Piccadilly - Cardiff Central
168 miles: Birmingham International - Pwllheli
163 miles: Weymouth - Great Malvern
I might add more journey times if I get a chance. Happy to make revisions, and if anyone wants to muddle through working out the really mental journeys like Penzance - Manchester then that's up to them.
Cheers for that! Knew somebody would be willing to put the effort in.About 378 miles, no idea of the journey time though.
Cheers for that! Knew somebody would be willing to put the effort in.
Also Manchester Pic to Waterloo via the Marches. Pretty sure it was operated by 158s.
I still always viewed that as two separate services across Inverness, but it certainly was advertised as a through service and 350 miles by the one unit is a fair old stretch.
Here's a few approximate mileages of some of the longer runs, past and present, to stimulate debate. I've tried to be as accurate as possible with the routings, but wouldn't be surprised if a few inaccuracies have crept in:
250 miles: Liverpool - Norwich (5hr 16mins)
245 miles: Liverpool - Portsmouth
234 miles: Manchester Airport - Edinburgh/Glasgow
226 miles: Blackpool North - London Euston
210 miles: Brighton - Great Malvern (5hr 31mins)
180 miles: Newcastle - Liverpool Lime Street
175 miles: Edinburgh - Inverness
174 miles: Inverness - Wick (via Thurso)
172 miles: Birmingham International - Holyhead
170 miles: Manchester Piccadilly - Cardiff Central
168 miles: Birmingham International - Pwllheli
163 miles: Weymouth - Great Malvern
I might add more journey times if I get a chance. Happy to make revisions, and if anyone wants to muddle through working out the really mental journeys like Penzance - Manchester then that's up to them.
I read previously there was a Liverpool (or possibly Manchester) to Waterloo via Bristol and Salisbury service before. Did that actually run and if so, did that use a 158?
There was an advertised through service from Liverpool Lime Street to Portsmouth Harbour where the train from Liverpool coupled to a Cardiff to Portsmouth service at Newport. The reverse happened in the morning with the Liverpool portion being detached at Newport from a Portsmouth to Cardiff service.I read previously there was a Liverpool (or possibly Manchester) to Waterloo via Bristol and Salisbury service before. Did that actually run and if so, did that use a 158?
The original Wales and West franchise was huge. Once they chopped the welsh bit out, including the marches line, the scope for these through trains went.All these services in the first flush of privatisation. Have things "seized up" since then?
Services have been consolidated to improve reliability, and cut short as franchise boundaries have been redrawn, cutting across old Regional Railways business unit areas that the original tranche of franchises adhered to. You could have sprawling, long distance services with franchises as wide ranging as Central Trains for example, less so when the old Regional Railways Central division it originated from has now been split between Greater Anglia, East Midlands Trains, West Midlands Railway and Crosscountry Trains (And TfW, as far as the Cambrian line is concerned if my recollection is correct). Similar can be said for Wales & West, as Ken H has noted above.All these services in the first flush of privatisation. Have things "seized up" since then?
Thanks for that, I'll add the headlines to the top of the 'leader board' if that's okay.Brighton to Milford Haven 295 miles 02 chains.
Brighton to Pembroke Dock 296 miles 43 chains.
Manchester Piccadilly to Penzance (can't remember if it reversed at Newport or used the Maindee loop so have used the mileage via Newport) 392 miles 41 chains.